dose with boats?’ upon your answering in the affirmative, I immediately did so, and stood as close in as the depth of water would allow me with safety to the ship. The Piercer gun-brig, by signal from yourself, weighed also, and I believe it was then that three boats from the Colossus went in pursuit of the enemy’s vessels.
“At half-past two p.m., or nearly that time, perceiving the boats of the two ships had got very deep into the bay, between the points of Chatillon and Du Rocher, I took upon myself to hoist their signal of recal, and fired guns to enforce it. At this time the wind shifted suddenly from N.W. to W., and shortly after I perceived three French gun-brigs, a gun-boat, and several armed pinnaces, weigh from under l’Isle d’Aix. This circumstance, so unfortunate, and so impossible to have been calculated on, caused the lamentable consequences that ensued. Our boats, by the change of wind, were placed between the shore and the enemy’s flotilla; and seeing no chance of their escape, but by a prompt attack of the Piercer, I despatched a boat with eighteen seamen and marines, to enable her more effectually to cope with them; and at the same time made the signal to her commander to protect the boats. Why he did not do so – whether from the shallowness of the water, or from what cause, it is for him to make the representation to you.
“The boats, hard pressed, and under an incessant fire from the enemy’s brigs, gun-boat, pinnaces, land-batteries, and field-pieces along shore, which they with the utmost spirit returned, still stood on until they reached half-way between Points Chatillon and Du Rocher: the gun-boat then came up with, and ran on board the barge of the Colossus, the crew of which, though surrounded by the other vessels, were seen fighting upon her decks for some minutes before they surrendered. The other boats (with the exception of one belonging to the Colossus, out of danger), completely enfiladed between the fire of the enemy’s flotilla and batteries, were driven on shore, and the crews made prisoners.
“However the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty may judge of this disaster, which for myself I do not hesitate to declare was solely owing to the untoward accident of the wind shifting, I should be shamefully remiss, were I not to express in the strongest manner the extraordinary perseverance, and determined intrepidity, shewn by the whole of the boats of H.M. ships. Never, perhaps, were people placed under more trying circumstances, and never did people more nobly or more manfully, fulfil their duty. The barge of the Colossus, and the Conquestador’s launch, exhibited a degree of persevering courage, I believe, unrivalled, and I do humbly hope, should the officers and men, so worthy of a better fate, be ever restored to their country, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will take them into their favourable consideration. If bravery, never surpassed, when unattended with success, can command reward, it is for them to receive it. I herewith enclose a list
